2012 LAUTUM Award Winner Maxine Bussan along with IAMIC Executive Director Jackie Rakers

The LAUTUM Award is the highest honor that we bestow on one of our members every year. It stands for strength, dedication, leadership, commitment, integrity and honor. This award is chosen by their peers and awarded to the one individual who reflects these qualities.

This year's winner was a true leader in our industry and was very respected by her peers. She was always involved in IAMIC committees and greatly cared about the Mutual industry. If I had to choose just one spokesperson for our Industry – she would hold the title!

While serving in numerous committees, she excelled at the Public Relations committee as she eagerly sought out new attendees and made sure to welcome them to all IAMIC events. She was a charter member of the IMPACT Society – a society who’s mission is to assemble and maintain an elite team to assist the IAMIC Board of Directors by implementing ideas in the area of education, legislative activity and industry commitment. The ultimate goal of this society is to promote excellence in the Farm Mutual professionalism and standards and she is a true reflection of these goals.

She consistently continues her education and is a PFMM (Professional Farm Mutual Manager) recipient - she is always willing to share her knowledge and experience with her peers.

As Past Chair, she truly fought to make sure that the Farm Mutual Concept that our forefathers used to build this industry was maintained and promoted. She served as Board of Directors for 5 years (fulfilling an unexpired term and then being reelected for a 3 year term) before moving through the Chairs of this wonderful association.

She is involved in her community and in the legislative activities of IAMIC – traveling to Washington DC in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

She is involved, she is active, she makes good things happen. A great mentor to many. It is my duty and honor to present this year’s LAUTUM Award to Maxine Bussan, Manager of Jo Davies Mutual Insurance Company in Galena, IL.